Dr. Stephanie Maj

Helping on your Journey to Health & Wellness

Magnesium’s Powerful Benefits

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Benefits of Magnesium:

  1. Better sleep – The sleep regulating hormone melatonin is disturbed when Magnesium is deficient. Furthermore, Magnesium brings balance and controls stress hormones. Stress and tension are often reasons why people suffer from insomnia in the first place.
  2. Relaxes the nervous system – Serotonin, which relaxes the nervous system and elevates mood, is dependent on Magnesium.
  3. Bigger, stronger muscles – Magnesium allows the body to produce more Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), which is a major contributor to the growth and strength of muscles. Furthermore, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the cell’s energy store, and is created with help from Magnesium.
  4. Better flexibility – Magnesium loosens tight muscles. Without Magnesium, muscles do not relax properly and cramps occur. Magnesium is important for flexibility, because low Magnesium results in a buildup of lactic acid, causing pain and tightness.
  5. Bone integrity and strength – Magnesium helps to fix calcium properly. It may blow some people’s mind that the calcium supplements they’re taking are not only useless, but are actually contributing to osteoporosis! There are actually about eighteen essential nutrients that contribute to bone health; Magnesium is definitely one of the most essential, because it stimulates a particular hormone called calcitonin. And, it also suppresses a hormone called parathyroid that breaks down bone.
  6. Remineralizes teeth – Magnesium deficiency causes an unhealthy balance of phosphorous and calcium in saliva, which damages teeth.
  7. Alkalizes the body – Magnesium helps return the body’s pH balance. Magnesium reduces lactic acid, which is partly responsible for post-exercise pain (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).
  8. Hydrates – Magnesium is a necessary electrolyte essential for proper hydration.
  9. Helps to relieve constipation – Magnesium can be used to cleanse the bowels of toxins.
  10. Enzyme function – Enzymes are protein molecules that stimulate every chemical reaction in the body. Magnesium is required to make hundreds of these enzymes work and assists with thousands of others.
  11. Diabetes – Magnesium enhances insulin secretion, which facilitates sugar metabolism. Without Magnesium, glucose is not able to transfer into cells. Glucose and insulin build up in the blood, causing various types of tissue damage, including the nerves in the eyes.

There are many other benefits of Magnesium: It helps prevent stroke, heart disease, period pain, and more. You can check out my website for further information on Magnesium and how exactly to increase magnesium levels effectively.

Hambingo for Byron’s dog!

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On Aug 31st we’ll be hosting the Hambingo event at Hamburger Mary’s to raise money for Byron’s dog! I need some prizes to give away; I already have gift certificates for massages and a gift card from Marine Layer clothing store, but I’d love some suggestions for prizes.

This is a fundraiser for Byron. He is the son of our massage therapist Megan and Byron is nonverbal autistic. For little boys like Byron a service dog specially trained for autistic children can really help stimulate communication. They are fundraising with 4 Paws for Ability to help pay for the training and placing of one of these dogs with Byron and here’s how you can help.

 

Go to https://www.razoo.com/story/Byron-S-Dog and

donate $10 or more.

 

You can also donate offline here. Make checks payable to:

4 Paws for Ability (Tax ID: 31-1625484).

In the memo line put: Byron Mackie

Booby Bites – Lactation Cookie Recipe from the EXPERT!

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I am always having conversations with new moms about what to eat as they are also breast feeding and growing their babies. It is so important to keep your fat and protein levels up because without it, your body gets robbed of the good fats and amino acids that not only grow the baby, but also are in charge of serotonin production. The book, Potatoes NOT Prozac, is one of the best explanations about how diet is integral to mood. It goes into detail about how keeping protein levels high and simple sugars low feed the brain!!

I love me some Jenny Barron-Fishman! She is the owner/mother of Sweet Pea’s Studio-a home for prenatal massage, yoga, midwives and all sorts of momma goodness and love! She has been practicing massage therapy for over 20 years, specializing in bodywork for the childbearing years, an expert in yoga, a labor support and postpartum doula and is a birth and breastfeeding educator. It is no wonder she is my leading expert on all things mommy!

I borrowed this recipe from her! #YUM!

RECIPE FOR LACTATION COOKIES

Booby Bites….an energy snack for nursing moms …and everyone else!
These “booby bites” will help boost lactation while providing lots of protein and vitamins as well!

1 cup of old-fashion oatmeal
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup of honey
1/2 tablespoon Brewer’s Yeast
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1. Combine the dry ingredients first:oatmeal, coconut, chocolate chips, Brewer’s Yeast and flaxseed.
2. Add the peanut butter, honey and vanilla and turn your mixer on low(or stir together).
3. Refrigerate mixture for at least on hour.
4. Roll into small balls. Enjoy!!!

Being an Introvert is not a 4 letter word

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Sometimes the world is kinda funny. This morning I had a long conversation with a member of my practice about the crying child that just left my office. I was explaining that just the sight of me sends her off the rails.

After 20+ years in practice, I don’t take these things personally. I was talking about a book that explains this behavior. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (I like to say “Won’t Shut Up!) Shy people tend to be sensitive babies. Knowing that over a third of the population is introverted gives some space to these children & my hope is that parents learn to parent respecting who their children are & meet them there. In other words, shyness is not a disorder to overcome!

I know it might be hard to believe that I am an introvert. The way I recharge is by being alone so I have the energy to be social and dynamic. I have already admitted my addiction to my iPhone and I am always looking for a bit a quiet in my life.

This leads me to my coincidence not a coincidence moment today. Trying a new podcast for a long drive today & it happen to be about how to get quiet in the age of the internet. Note to Self is a podcast that talks about finding balance in the digital age. This particular one was talking about finding a quiet space. I am listening and who is it they are interviewing, Susan Cain, the author of the introvert book! Here is her TED talk.

BEST Chicago Mocha!

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They say not to blog about your favorite coffee joint but I disagree. I do not want to live in a world where I am not obsessed about finding the best cappuccino. It is not my fault, my friend Sarah told my about microfoam and I have never been the same. Microfoam is that velvety smooth, wet paint textured milk that is at the heart of latte art. It makes the milk sweet as well.

La Colombe in Andersonville has the best mocha around. Their secret is they use bittersweet bakers chocolate. With the sweetness of the milk and the chocolate…all the YUM with no sugar! Plus they use these wonderful hand painted mugs to set it off just right.

Eat More Kale

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I can make this at home but it is nice to know that Trader Joe’s has the option. Although four dollars for 2 ounces it’s a pretty steep price for some kale.

I loved these so much I found this cheesy kale chip recipe and tried it in my oven. It works yet after all that work, I burnt a whole batch and said forget it and bought a dehydrator. It is a really easy thing, even people that hate kale love this. I like to add a bit of cayenne for kick. 

The big question people ask me is “Why is kale so darn good for you?” Time magazine did a piece on this why kale is the cruciferous king!